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the everyman memoirs

From Readers: Jewel Transformation

Sunday, 24 May 2015

Reader Roxayn submitted a jewelry story, and I loved it so much that I wanted to share it. I always love hearing from readers, so if you have a jewelry story of your own, send it in!! Remember that you get a free book if yours gets selected for the blog.

I remember as a young, almost teenager wearing rings, bracelets, necklaces adorned with turquoise.I loved it.And then I didn't.I hid them away in a corner of a jewelry box embarrassed by my passion for turquoise.I switched to all things sparkling and gold. Fast forward a few decades through dozens of glittering earrings, jeweled necklaces, and bangled bracelets.Imagine my distress when I realized my cute, darling daughter's birthstone was not glittery or faceted as her name, Jewel, would suggest.My Jewel had a birthstone of turquoise.It didn't sparkle like her princess tiaras or her glitter splashed tutus.Flat, lumpy turquoise seemed to be such a misfit among the other jeweled celebrations of birth—and totally inadequate to celebrate my Jewel.I said as little as possible about birthstones.

I love to make jewelry.I found a necklace I really wanted to make—and Jewel, now a tween, asked if she could make one too.We went on a shopping excursion to find just the right beads.As we gazed at the variety of sparkling, dazzling beads, I wondered how she would choose which pink ones to use."Momma, don't you just love these?"As I turned to see her selection, shock hit.You can guess what she chose—turquoise beads."Yes," I said, trying to hide my surprise."They will look so pretty, and did you know that turquoise is my birthstone?" she asked. I did know. And as we chatted and laughed all through the creative process, I came to know—through her eyes—just how beautiful turquoise can be.She loved it because it was her birthstone, and for me, it became beautiful in her hands.